By Carlos Nazario
I have always been interested in queer and gender studies, and in how the LGBTQ+ community has come a long way from a time of physical and verbal harassment, rejection, unemployment, healthcare discrimination, and internalized homophobia. I have watched several LGBTQ+ films and television shows such as Moonlight, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Boys in the Band, Tongues Untied, Firebird, and POSE – these forms of mass media have taught me to give reverence to the people who came before me and fought for equality in times of ignorance and oppression. In my spare time, I also try to educate myself on historical circumstances such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic which started in 1981, the Christopher Street Gay Liberation March of 1987, and the underground ball culture which flourished during the 1980s in cities like Chicago and New York.
I decided to take a stroll around Greenwich Village to visit a historical site that encapsulates resilience, acceptance, and love. I have seen and heard of this legendary location through television, photography, books, and commentary from friends. As I exited the Christopher Street train station (on the 1 line) I was stunned to see pride flags hanging from every building, as well as the scenery filled with young people dining and walking around. The atmosphere provided a sense of comfort and security. What immediately caught my attention were 4 visible figures from across the street.
In the middle of Christopher Street Park is a monument created by George Segal called “Gay Liberation.” It’s made out of bronze and is coated with white lacquer – depicting four people, presumably two men and two women. The interpretation is up to the viewer whether these figures resemble friendship or romance. According to the Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, “the result is specific, evocative, and understated showing the public comfort and freedom to which the gay liberation movement aspired.” From the words of Segal himself, he stated that the monument “had to be loving and caring… [it had to] show the affection that is the hallmark of gay people… and it had to have equal representation of men and women.” I definitely see the equal representation (four is an even number), however, I would prefer if it were painted in all of the colors of the rainbow, or perhaps of all skin tones to highlight a move towards racial equality. Across the street from the monument is the iconic Stonewall Inn, and as I admired it in all its glory, I smiled at the triumphant history it’s walls witnessed. Gazing at both historic sites gave me hope that equal representation for all people will be more possible in the upcoming years.
“But upon further walking,
We stumbled upon a sanctuary
A comforting area,
A safe place.”
– Dylan Spence
Christopher Street – Gay Liberation: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/christopher-park/monuments/575
Spence, Dylan “Stonewall From Young Queer Eyes” 17 Feb. 2022